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Mamelodi Sundowns have officially parted ways with midfielder Oupa Manyisa. 

The Tshwane giants confirmed the news in a statement released on Tuesday night, adding that the relationship between them and the former Orlando Pirates captain ended on June 30.  

Sundowns then decided against exercising an option they had on Manyisa's contract, the club confirmed.

"The relationship between Mamelodi Sundowns and Oupa Manyisa has come to an end after the club elected not to exercise its option for an extension," read part of the statement on the Sundowns website. 

"The 31-year-old Manyisa has spent 3 seasons at Mamelodi Sundowns having joined the team in August 2017 from Orlando Pirates and played nearly 50 games for Mamelodi Sundowns.

"During his stay, the midfielder contributed to the club’s success and is one of the most decorated players in the Premier Soccer League having won two of his league titles with Mamelodi Sundowns.

"Manyisa’s contract with the club officially ended on the 30th of June 2020."

Coach Pitso Mosimane said Manyisa was a pleasure to work with and lauded the midfielder for managing his social life well. 

"Oupa has been a pleasure to work with. Despite his near iconic status, he gave 100 per cent in training and managed his social life well," said Mosimane. 

Manyisa's final season with the Brazilians was marred by a nasty Achilles tendon injury suffered against Kaizer Chiefs in the Shell Helix Cup in October 2019. 

And Mosimane admits Manyisa's only fully recovered in February - a month before the lockdown.   

"It's a pity that he didn’t play much this year and his Achilles only healed just a month before the lockdown break and he had played in a few friendlies. He is an exceptional player that can play in any position and will be an asset to any team," concluded Mosimane. 

He leaves Sundowns having made just nine appearances across all the competitions in the past two seasons, including two so far this term. 

Overall, Manyisa managed just 47 matches in his three-year stay with Sundowns. He found the back of the net just once and registered two assists since his arrival from the Buccaneers. 

Manyisa was expected to regain his form when his former teammate at both Pirates and Bafana Bafana Andile Jali joined the club in 2018, but he failed dismally to dislodge Hlompho Kekana and Tiyani Mabunda for a place in Mosimane's midfield.

Allegations that Manchester City artificially inflated commercial agreements with their main sponsor Etihad were "not established to the comfortable satisfaction" of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which also concluded the Premier League club showed a "blatant disregard" for UEFA's Financial Fair Play (FFP) investigation principles.

City had a two-season ban from UEFA competitions quashed earlier this month after CAS found they were not guilty of "disguising equity funds as sponsorship contributions", although they were fined €10 million (£9m/$11m) for not co-operating with the investigation launched by European football's governing body.

UEFA, which previously punished City for FFP violations in May 2014, opened a fresh probe on the back of a series of articles published by German publication Der Spiegel in November 2018, which drew upon information obtained by the whistleblower Football Leaks.

On Tuesday, CAS released its full findings on the case, which explained those emails were admissible evidence.

Tthe allegation that sponsorship money from Etihad - the Abu Dhabi airline that adorns City's playing shirts and lends its name to the club's stadium and training facility - was funnelled in via the Abu Dhabi United Group and Sheikh Mansour's personal fortune could not be proven.

"There is no doubt that Etihad fully complied with its payment towards MCFC [Man City] and that MCFC rendered the contractually agreed services to Etihad in return," the CAS verdict read.

"The majority of the panel finds that Etihad Sponsorship Agreements are presumed to be negotiated at fair value and that MCFC, HHSM [Mansour], ADUG and Etihad are considered not to be 'related parties'. The Etihad Sponsorship Agreement were legally binding contracts.

"There is no evidence that agreements were backdated or that MCFC otherwise retrospectively tried to cover up any alleged violations following the publication of the leaked emails."

During the period addressed by the investigation, City were entitled to sponsorship fees and bonuses of just over £220m ($285m).

Similar claims concerning City's arrangements with Abu Dhabi telecommunications company Etisalat were found to be time-barred under UEFA's rules, because the alleged offences took place more than five years before the case was referred to the adjudicatory chamber of UEFA's Club Financial Control Board (CFCB) on May 15, 2019.

Despite the relief felt by Pep Guardiola and his club upon learning they would be able to compete in next season's Champions League, CAS said City should be "strongly condemned" for failing to assist UEFA's investigation.

"The majority of the panel finds that MCFC's failure to cooperate with the CFCB's investigation is a severe breach and that MCFC is to be seriously reproached for obstructing the CFCB's investigations," it concluded, adding it hoped the fine would be a "sufficiently strong deterrent" to any other clubs that might contravene the FFP process.

UEFA has come in for criticism in the weeks since the verdict, but the Swiss-based court said it had a "legitimate basis to prosecute" City and did not instigate "frivolous charges".

Indeed, CAS felt the responsibility for the case going so far lay at the door of City and their standoffish approach.

"The new evidence presented by MCFC in the present proceedings before CAS had an impact on the panel's findings," it said.

"The panel cannot put itself in the shoes of the adjudicatory chamber at the time of issuance of the appealed decision, but it finds that the possibility cannot be excluded that the adjudicatory chamber may have reached the same conclusions as the panel in the present proceedings, had such evidence been made available to it.

"The relevance of this is that MCFC may have avoided the appealed decision by already filing such evidence before the CFCB. The appealed decision is therefore not per se wrong, but, at least to a certain extent, is a consequence of MCFC's decision to produce the most relevant evidence at its disposal, only in the present appeal arbitration proceedings before CAS."

Caf Medical Committee member Prince Pambo wants Ghana to ensure all national team players are tested for coronavirus ahead of the commencement of camp for upcoming international assignments.

Ghana's U20 female team and both men and women's U17 sides have been given special clearance by the national government to regroup despite a current ban on all contact sports, including football, as part of measures to curb the spread of the disease.

“All the players must be tested before they begin camping. An isolation centre must be created in camp so that when a player is infected, they can be quarantined and possibly treated," Pambo told Happy FM.

“An ambulance must also be made available at the camp while all players must have a room to themselves. Two buses must be provided for the team so that proper social distancing can be done."

Ghana's U17 women's team are set to take on Nigeria in the 2021 World Cup qualifiers in October and November while the U20 women's outfit have a World Cup qualifier against Guinea-Bissau in September.

The U17 male team are preparing for a Wafu tournament.

“The minister of sports had earlier on presented proposal on the national teams who had international assignments so we had to advice the president to allow the teams train beginning 1st August 2020,” Ghana's special advisor on health at the presidency Nsiah Asare told Kumasi FM on the special dispensation for the three teams.

“The return matches of these national teams will be played behind close doors. The GFA will choose the venues for these games.

“The teams will be camped with tight security where no one will be allowed to come out - as is done in our second cycle institutions - until they complete the return encounters.

“We will be doing the mandatory testing for these national teams as Fifa has recommended and the European clubs are following.”

In a separate interview with Asempa FM, Nsiah revealed: "The Government will take care of the testing and all the health protocols of the players while in camp".

The Covid-19 situation resulted in the premature termination of Ghana's 2019-20 football season.

Adam Lallana has explained his decision to leave Liverpool for Brighton, describing the Seagulls as “the perfect fit”.

Lallana brought to an end his six-year spell at Anfield last week, capping his time on Merseyside with the Premier League title.

The 32-year-old joined Brighton on a three-year deal, and will be hoping to help them improve on this season’s 15th-place finish under Graham Potter.

Lallana says he wanted to go somewhere outside of his comfort zone, and Brighton fit the bill.

“For me in my life now, if you know me as a person, I don’t think I’m ever in my comfort zone,” Lallana told talkSPORT. “I’m always looking to push myself and improve myself.

“One thing I have learnt over the last year is that there is no limit to whatever you want to achieve. You can always better yourself every day. I’ve seen the best players in the world living with that attitude.

“People might see it as a brave move but I see it as a very calculated but perfect move. The perfect fit. It will probably go down as a big signing for Brighton but I don’t see it as that. I see it as a big move for myself coming to a fantastic club with huge ambition. I’m looking forward to being part of a great journey that lies ahead.

“I see the qualities of Brighton. I’ve seen the infrastructure. I’ve spoken to the manager. Spoken with the chairman and Dan Ashworth, the technical director. There’s a plan there and a vision and a project.

“I’m so excited to be part of that. Add to what they’ve already got and hopefully improve every aspect. Willingness to learn and keep improving as a player and person and I think we can achieve good things moving forward.”

Lallana was also asked about his emotional tribute to Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson. He welled up when talking about Henderson after Liverpool lifted the league title, saying nobody deserved success more than his skipper.

“It’s obviously very apparent that we are best mates and our wives are best mates, our kids are best friends and go to the same schools,” he said.

“I didn’t want to hold anything in or block anything in. I felt like I got all my emotion out. As soon as Saturday arrived and Sunday came and I knew I was heading down for my medical on Monday, I was so ready for my next challenge.

“Everything was Brighton this and Brighton that. I know it sounds pretty blunt to put a line under Liverpool but it is. I felt like I dealt with leaving Liverpool and want to make that transition over to Brighton. I felt like I’ve done that as well as possible.

“Me and Jordan will be in contact forever. Best mates. I’ll have to introduce him to the south coast so when we are both retired maybe he’ll have a little place down there, who knows.”

Equatorial Guinea defender Oluwatobiloba Olanrewaju has signed a new one-year deal with Spanish side Racing Santander.

Olanrewaju joined Racing in January 2020 from top-flight side Sporting de Huelva, where she spent three months, making five appearances since arriving from Nigerian club Rivers Angels. 

She impressed, for the most part, playing in several positions and scoring once at Racing before the Spanish Reto Iberdrola cancellation due to the coronavirus pandemic in May. 

Her fine input in a brief campaign with Racing in their top-flight promotion bid saw the club reward her with a contract extension.

The Santander outfit confirmed the news of the centre-back extending her stay for one more season in a statement on Monday night.

She becomes the sixth player to earn a contract extension at the second division club after Carmen Gutierrez, Carlona Diaz, Irene Dela Puente, Ali Ruiz and Lincija Vaitukaitite.

"Today is the renewal of our team lung in the midfield Tobi another year defending the green colours," the club wrote on Twitter.

Before her move to Spain, Olanrewaju starred for Confluence Queens and Sunshine Queens before helping Rivers Angels to a 2018 Champions Shield title and 2019 Federation Cup runners-up.

She shone brightly in the colours of Equatorial Guinea, featuring at U17 and U20 level before later turning out for the senior team.

Having extended her stay in Santander, Olanrewaju will be hoping to lead her side to achieve their promotion in the coming season.

Henry Onyekuru has not been included in Monaco’s 26-man team for their five-day pre-season trip to Poland.

The Nigeria international recently ended his loan Galatasaray spell during the Turkish Super Lig campaign to return to the Ligue 1 club.

The Red and Whites did not give any reason for Onyekuru's snub while Stevan Jovetic and Cesc Fabregas, who missed the trip, are said to be at La Turbie as they continue their recovery to action.

Senegal's Keita Balde is another notable omission from the selection while Malian descent Youssouf Fofana, Ivory Coast's Jean-Eudes Aholou and Senegalese descent Sofiane Diop made the cut.

Monaco will spend the entire week in Opalenica before heading to Germany to play Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt at Commerzbank Arena on Saturday.

Onyekuru joined Monaco on a five-year deal in August 2019 after an unsuccessful spell Everton but his debut campaign in the French top-flight did not go as planned.

He will be aiming to fight his way to into Niko Kovac's team after he struggled to establish himself in Robert Moreno's system before the Spanish manager was fired this month.

The 23-year-old played just four Ligue 1 matches for Monaco last season before he was loaned to Galatasaray in January for his second loan spell with the Lions.

He revealed his ambition to rediscover his form at Monaco when the 2020-21 Ligue 1 season begins on August 22.

"I have been with players like Keita Balde from my days at the Aspire Academy, Cesc Fabregas is a top guy, who welcomed me when I arrived at the club, it's like going back home,” Onyekuru said.

"Monaco are a big club they know how to work with their players when it comes to transfers, just look at Anthony Martial.

"I hope to make a good season or two and hopefully the future will be bright."

Cape Town City midfielder Ayanda Patosi, on-loan at Iranian Pro League side Foolad, says South Africa national team coaches have a tendency of overlooking overseas-based players in their selection.

Patosi claims he was in top form for Iranian outfit Esteghlal Tehran when he was snubbed by former Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Baxter’s Afcon squad, which reached the quarter-finals, was composed of 17 Premier Soccer League (PSL) players and six overseas-based players.

Former Lokeren star Patosi last played for South Africa in November 2016 during an international friendly match away in Mozambique.

“I feel like I'm overlooked. When I'm playing outside, they don't see what I'm doing. I had some good seasons and I can say I was not given enough chance," Patosi told an online press conference with SA Football Journalists Association as per Sowetan Live.

“When Stuart Baxter was selecting the Afcon team I was the best player in Iran. I was scoring goals left, right and centre. But I was overlooked and they didn't call me or even ask me to come to training. I was a South African doing well outside. But that didn't happen.

"I don't know how the coaches are watching the games, especially for players playing overseas. Maybe they watch a few players. I don't know how it works but in the end, I'm doing my best where I am and hopefully, the new coach [Molefi Ntseki] will give me a chance now."

Patosi’s sentiments could be backed by the fact that midfielder Thibang Phete is a regular for OS Belenenses in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, while Preston North End midfielder Tom Barkhuizen has been consistent but the two have escaped the attention of national team coaches.

Patosi calls for the widening of the national team’s scouting network.

“We need scouts to go around and look at South African players. I remember it took long for [Lebogang] Phiri [to be called] when he was playing in Denmark,” said Patosi.

“And he was doing well there. We need to improve more on that. Now that he is playing in France they started calling him. Mihlali Mayambela is playing in Israel and he has not been called up for under-23s.

"You can't tell me Mihlali doesn't deserve to play for the under-23s when they select a player from the lower leagues, whereas there is a player who is playing in Israel for a top league."

Little has been done to convince 21-year-old Crystal Palace defender Nikola Tavares to play for the South Africa Under-23s. 

Prominent Orlando Pirates supporter Mandla Sindane has died.

Sindane, popularly known as Mgijimi, was found dead at his home in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga on Tuesday morning after complaining of an undisclosed ailment the previous night.

His brother Bonginkosi confirmed the superfan’s death.

“What happened is that he arrived home yesterday as he always used to do especially since we are in lockdown he spent more time at home and was not moving around much,” Bonginkosi told Marawa Sports Worldwide on Metro FM.

“He stayed somewhere at his own place and he got [at our parents’] home. He was complaining that he was not feeling well and he asked our parents to pray for him. Our father and mother are church elders.

“Then they laid their hands on him and told him that he would be fine. He was complaining about symptoms of normal flu and that he was not feeling well.”

Sindane is said to have then gone back to the place where he was staying alone to retire for the night.

When the family went to check on him on Tuesday morning, they knocked on his door but received no response, before they forced entry into his house where they found him dead.

Orlando Pirates eMalahleni branch secretary‚ Puleng Semela‚ also confirmed Sindane’s death.

“I can confirm that he has passed on‚” said Semela as per Sowetan Live.

“According to his father they found him in his place where he was staying at around 11 am. He had left the family [the day before] and he went to go and sleep where he was staying in eMalahleni.”

Sindane is remembered for following Orlando Pirates around South Africa and in January 2019 he was in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe for their Caf Champions League group match against FC Platinum which ended 0-0.

Tributes for the passionate fan have been pouring in.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) presidential aspirant Omondi Aduda believes a clear road map should be put in place for the elections to be held as soon as possible, before the resumption of football in the country.

The FKF elections were set to be conducted early this year, but twice, the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) cancelled it as the outgoing office failed to adhere to the guidelines necessary for free and fair elections to happen. The Gor Mahia CEO says it is high time to sort out the problem hindering the process from happening.

"I wish to bring to the attention of all football stakeholders in Kenya that it is time to sort out a clear direction with respect to the governance of football in the country," Aduda said in a statement obtained by Goal.

"We have in the past almost six months now had a Federation without a substantive leadership across its administrative strata with the mandate of the former office-bearers having elapsed on February 10, 2020. 

"This coupled with the fact that due to constitutional anomalies occasioned by the then leadership have seen the intended FKF elections nullified twice by the SDT. This has hitherto rendered the actions currently being undertaken by the outgoing president and the Secretary-General [Barry Otieno] illegal in, so far as the FKF Constitution is concerned."

The incumbent Nick Mwendwa has been insisting Article 42(2) of the FKF Constitution gives him powers to continue discharging his duties until he is either re-elected or a new person is elected.

However, the administrator insists the article has been misinterpreted and all stakeholders have been urged to come up with ways of ensuring the new office is put in place soonest.

"It is this breadth that I implore the stakeholders to understand that the current status of FKF is a recipe for chaos should the world governing body Fifa and Caf declare the resumption of Sporting Activities. 

"It is imperative that we set up a roadmap that will lead to a free, fair, transparent and all-inclusive election as a matter of urgency instead of the current circus of musical chairs. 

"This will enable the Federation usher in legitimate leadership especially at the NEC level."  

Aduda has concluded by saying this is a joint effort which needs all to put heads together without political shenanigans.

"As an aspirant for the position of FKFpresidency I call upon all the stakeholders to shelve the parochial political theatrics and ensure that we live true to the expectations and directions of the FKF Constitution and join efforts in ensuring that elections are conducted ahead of the resumption of sporting activities," he concluded.  
  

Jesse Lingard has opened up on his personal struggle during the 2019-20 season, saying he lost his sense of identity on and off the pitch.

The Manchester United midfielder enjoyed a cathartic end to a difficult campaign, scoring his first Premier League goal of the season in the 98th minute of the final game against Leicester to seal qualification to next season’s Champions League.

Lingard has scored FA Cup-winning goals for United and netted at the 2018 World Cup for England, but he endured an intensely frustrating season this year.

The 27-year-old posted a frank assessment of his struggles on Instagram, writing: “This season has been difficult for so many reasons. I lost who I was as a player and person, but I never wanted to give up, I knew who I really was on and off the pitch and knew that having been there before, I could get there again.

“This meant working harder than I’d ever done before and trusting in those around me that they knew how to best help me achieve that.

“I know the fans have been frustrated but in all this time my love for this club and everyone connected to it has never left me. 

“This team, this club is my family and I will continue to keep working harder than ever to help this team achieve its goals.”

Lingard’s relief at scoring with virtually the last kick of the league season was palpable from his celebration, after he robbed Kasper Schmeichel of the ball to slot into an empty net.

United’s star midfielder Bruno Fernandes said he thought Lingard deserved a goal for his hard work throughout the campaign.

"Of course it's a mistake from the keeper, also but if Jesse doesn't go there the goal doesn't come so this is why we work,” Fernandes told MUTV.

"For me, Jesse deserved this goal because of what he works for all week, for all the things everyone is saying about him and other players because they don't play too much or they don't play good enough. I think this is the reason Jesse scored because we're training hard, training hard to help all the team."

Simba SC fans and their counterparts from Yanga SC have selected their best players for the concluded Tanzania Mainland League season.

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi faithful decided on Zambian play-maker Clatous Chama who has been instrumental for the champions. This despite the good form by skipper John Bocco and Meddie Kagere, who managed to get 22 goals and scoop the Golden Boot for the second straight season.

Yanga SC fans decided on the 22-year-old Feisal Salum who they feel has been consistent for Wananchi. 

Both Chama and Salum will pocket TSh1 million each after getting the most votes from their respective fans. This competition was regulated by the teams' sponsor, betting firm SportPesa.

The 27-time league champions have not had a good season both on and off the pitch.

The height of it all was on July 27 when former coach Luc Eymael called fans dogs and monkeys and it warranted him his ticket to Belgium after the club decided to fire him.

Simba have been the best team by far domestically. They managed to finish the season with 88 points, 16 more than their bitter rivals Yanga..

Of the 38 matches played, Simba managed to collect 27 wins, drawing seven and losing just four. The Msimbazi-based side managed to score most goals in the division, 78, and conceded 21, which is the least number of goals conceded as well.

The team is aiming at winning a double after they defeated Yanga 4-1 in the semi-final of the FA Cup to seal the final berth, where they will play Namungo FC.

Yanga got 19 wins from the same number of matches. Despite losing just four matches, they drew 15 games which dented their chances of pressuring their bitter rivals at the top. They scored 45 goals and conceded 28.

Simba will have a chance of representing the country in the Caf Champions League, hoping to make it into the group stage. Namungo will play in the Caf Confederation Cup.

Alliance FC, Ndanda FC, Singida United and Lipuli FC were relegated from the top tier with Dodoma Jiji and Gwambina promoted.

South Africa international Janine Van Wyk has confirmed that she is leaving South Africa for Scotland to join her new side, Glasgow City.

On July 14, Goal reported that Glasgow has signed Banyana Banyana defender, a move described by the Scottish champions as "one of the biggest ever signings in Scottish women’s football".

The 33-year-old, who is South Africa's record cap holder with 170 appearances, has been to the previous two Olympic Games and led her country to a debut Women's World Cup finals last year.

Before securing her latest move, Van Wyk was forced to part ways with Danish side Fortuna Hjorring in January due to an injury she picked up during Banyana's Cosafa Cup campaign last year.

The veteran centre-back has also featured for Moroko Swallows and Palace Super Falcons in her home country as well as Houston Dash in America.

Having procured her entry visa, the founder of Sasol Women's League side JVW FC is excited about the prospect of fulfilling her many dreams, including playing in the Champions League. 

"And suddenly you know its time to start a new and exciting journey," she wrote on her Twitter page.

"Today I'm off to Scotland to join my team Glasgow City FC. Looking forward to a thrilling season ahead."

Glasgow City are scheduled to travel to Spain next month, where they will face German champions Wolfsburg in the Champions League quarter-finals in San Sebastian, Spain on August 21. 

And head coach Scott Booth believes van Wyk's "incredible experience" will be key for his side's campaign as the third signing after the earlier arrival of striker Krystyna Freda and full-back Zaneta Wyne.

Ghana are on the verge of naming a new technical director, Football Association (GFA) general secretary Prosper Harrison Addo has said.

The office has been vacant since Francis Oti Akenteng's tenure ended in March.

Six candidates, comprising three expatriates and three locals, have already been interviewed for the role but the GFA has fallen short of revealing the precise identities of the shortlisted men.

“The Select Committee in charge is in the final leg of their work and would soon submit its final report to the Executive Council for approval, and once approval is given, an official announcement of the new technical director will be made,” Addo told Times Sports.

“The technical director role is one of the prerequisites of Fifa, and we are in the process of appointing the new head soon.

“All the applicants have been given a level playing field to show what they can offer and the most competent would land the position.

“It is for the sake of best practice that we are keeping the name of the six persons close to our chest for now, and not for any other clandestine reason."

Former Asante Kotoko coach Abdul Malik Jabir and erstwhile Somalia boss Bashir Hayford were among the applicants when the GFA announced the vacancy for the job in March.

Both men, however, failed to make the ultimate interview shortlist of six.

“I have heard that Bashir Hayford has also applied. They are saying that over 100 people have applied which is a big lie. It’s never possible," Addo added.

"The work of a technical director will be heavier than the work of a coach because as a technical director, you will be involved in all sectors.

“How can 100 plus people apply for this post? We will not sit down for these foolish things to continue. This is why I am mad.

"You know I’m a gentleman and I don’t fight so if you find me talking like this, you should know that I’m peeved. It’s selfishness because they want the money to remain with them."

In an earlier interview, Jabir lashed out at the GFA for failing to give applicants feedback before heading into the interview phase for the six men. 

Wilfried Ndidi has expressed his disappointment after Leicester City ended the 2019-20 Premier League campaign in the fifth spot.

The Super Eagles midfielder was in action for 90 minutes as the Foxes narrowly missed out on qualification for next season’s Uefa Champions League.

Second half goals from Bruno Fernandes and Jesse Lingard at the King Power Stadium condemned the hosts to a 2-0 loss against Manchester United on Sunday.

The result secured United's return to the elite European tournament since the 2017-18 season while Leicester City dropped to the Europa League.

Brendan Rodgers’ side finished the campaign with 62 points after 38 matches with 18 wins recorded in the process.

“We are a bit disappointed to finish 5th. But overall. It was a great season,” Ndidi tweeted.

“I want to first of all thank our fans for being with us even when the stadiums were empty due to the pandemic, it was indeed a season to learn from and grow into next season thanks for support.”

Ndidi was a rock in Leicester City’s midfield this season with his ball-winning skills, and he completed 128 total tackles – the second-highest in the Premier League behind Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka who made 129 tackles.

The 23-year-old featured in 39 games in the 2019-20 season, which include 32 league outings. He also scored two goals, against Chelsea and Newcastle United.

Player-specific squad numbers have become a normal part of football since the abandonment of a simple one to 11 numbering system and some players are forever associated with certain numbers.

The number 10, for example, is usually associated with the creative heart of a team - think Lionel Messi or Diego Maradona - while number four might be a defensive midfielder or centre-back.

Cristiano Ronaldo followed a long line of famous number sevens at Manchester United - including George Best and David Beckham - subsequently making it a central component of his brand, CR7.

Occasionally, such is the influence of an individual that the number they wore at a club can be retired, thus ensuring that it is exclusively tied to the memory of their achievements.

Goal takes a look at why clubs retire shirt numbers as well as some notable examples of the practice.

Contents

Why do clubs retire shirt numbers?

Clubs can retire shirt numbers for any number of reasons, but it is generally used as a tribute to players who have excelled for the club or as a mark of respect to players who have died prematurely.

It is believed that former Toronto Maple Leafs player Ace Bailey was the first sportsperson to have a shirt number retired in his honour, when the team withdrew the number six from selection in 1934.

The practice is particularly common in the United States and Canada, but it has since spread through other sports across the world.

Clubs who have retired shirt numbers for players

The practice of retiring shirt numbers has caught on across the world, but it appears to be more common in certain countries.

As the lists below will show, Italian clubs seem to be more fond of the tradition, with the likes of Paolo Maldini, Roberto Baggio and Diego Maradona among the notable figures to be honoured.

In England, West Ham have retired the number six in tribute to World Cup winner Bobby Moore, while Manchester City retired the number 23 following the tragic death of Marc-Vivien Foe.

Brazil icon Pele has been honoured by American club New York Cosmos, while Major League Soccer Side New York Red Bulls have indicated that no other player will wear 99 after Bradley Wright-Phillips.

Dutch giants Ajax retired the number 14, which was famously worn by Johan Cruyff.

Notable retired shirt numbers in England

*Former Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino retired the number 17 in 2014 because he considered it to be an unlucky number.

Notable retired shirt numbers in Spain

Notable retired shirt numbers in France

Notable retired shirt numbers in Germany

Notable retired shirt numbers in Italy

*Paolo Maldini has given his consent for the number 3 to be worn by his sons if either of them play for AC Milan.

Notable retired shirt numbers in North America

Numbers reserved for supporters & mascots

As well as current and former players, many clubs have honoured their supporters by retiring the number 12, based on the idea that the fans are often considered to be the "12th man" on the team.

However, there are also deviations from that tradition across the world. For example, United Soccer League team Indy Eleven have retired the number 11, Turkish outfit Bursaspor have retired the number 16, while Swedish sides AIK and Djurgarden have reserved the number one for their fans.

Premier League side Bournemouth have dedicated the number 50 to their fans and the number 99 is reserved for the club mascot, Cherry Bear, while Leicester City's mascot Filbert Fox wears the number 50.

Major League Soccer side Atlanta United have reserved the number 17 for their supporters and also as a nod towards their first ever season in the competition.

Cristiano Ronaldo is “the Michael Jordan of football”, says Jesse Lingard, with the former Manchester United star and current Juventus talisman held up as a “real icon” in the sporting world.

Comparisons across sporting fields are difficult to make, with different skill sets required in order to reach the very top of contrasting games.

In NBA circles, Jordan reached the summit over the course of two iconic spells with the Chicago Bulls.

He is rightly considered to be one of the finest sportsmen of all time, not just one of the greatest basketball players.

Few can claim to have scaled such heights in their chosen field, but five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo does form part of that elite group.

Lingard, who once worked alongside the Portuguese at Old Trafford, admits as much, with a big basketball fan placing a Portuguese legend alongside Jordan on any roll of honour.

"I have to say Cristiano Ronaldo," the United and England midfielder told Sky Sports when asked if there are any footballers that can be likened to Jordan.

"Everything he has achieved in his career. He has been at plenty of clubs and won many trophies. I believe he is a real icon of football, the Michael Jordan of football.

"When [Ronaldo] first came to Manchester United, I was 11 or 12. We did a skills DVD and it was him teaching us skills which was good. That was the first time I had seen him. He was young and skinny when he came [to the club].

"I have played against him a few times. Did he give me trouble? No, he wasn't too bad, to be fair! There was one game in pre-season where he came on and you could see the skills and the qualities that he brought."

Basketball is preparing to return after a coronavirus-enforced break, with football having already led the way there.

Lingard will be an interested spectator when the likes of LeBron James and Zion Williamson return to the court, with the 27-year-old one of several avid NBA followers in the world of football.

"Basketball has different tactics and ways of playing and they set up a lot different [to football teams] but [as a player] you can relate. Certain players are small and agile and can bring their teams into games. That's similar to football," added the Red Devils academy graduate.

"When Romelu Lukaku was at Manchester United, he was very keen on basketball. He was in Miami with Paul Pogba playing basketball. I think those two would be up there, for me."

Fernandinho has discussed Brazil’s national team post with Pep Guardiola, but the Manchester City star considers it to be “impossible” for the Catalan to take charge of the Selecao.

There have been suggestions in the past that the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss would be open to the idea of working with the five-time world champions.

Back in 2015, Dani Alves claimed that Guardiola had expressed a desire to oversee events at a home World Cup in the previous summer.

He told ESPN: “Pep said he wanted to make Brazil a World Cup champion and had an entire strategy to make us a world champion.

“But they didn’t want it, because they said that they didn’t know if Brazil would accept a foreign coach.”

Fernandinho believes that remains the case in his homeland, while Guardiola is also of the opinion that high-profile positions in South America should be filled by native coaches.

City’s versatile Brazil international told Globo Esporte when asked about the talk of his club boss taking charge of a prestigious national side: “Once we talked about it, but in a very informal way, more in review. Mainly because of the news that came out in Brazil that claimed he had said that he would like to train Brazil. 

“But I believe it is a bit impossible. He said he thinks Brazil and Argentina should always have Brazilian and Argentine coaches. We produce so many players, we have the capacity to produce great coaches. 

“Within the more informal conversation I believe it is difficult, but in football there is no certainty about anything.”

Fernandinho has spent the last four years working with Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.

The 35-year-old had already spent three seasons in Manchester before Guardiola arrived, winning a Premier League title along the way, but admits collective standards have been raised under the guidance of a demanding coach.

“He is quite intense, in the sense of the amount of information we receive,” Fernandinho added.

“It's really big. It makes us learn and grow a lot. All the players who had the privilege to work with him noticed this difference. 

“The moment you start working with him and then stop, the difference from what you learn is a very cool thing, it makes you think and fall in love with football again, of wanting to learn more and more.”

Kepa Arrizabalaga will be "on his way" out of Chelsea this summer, according to Mark Bosnich, who has suggested that the under-fire goalkeeper has fallen out with Frank Lampard.

Chelsea forked out a club-record fee of £72 million ($93m) to bring Kepa to Stamford Bridge from Athletic Club in the summer of 2018.

The 25-year-old was drafted in to replace Thibaut Courtois following the Belgian's move to Real Madrid, and he was quickly thrust into the deep end by Maurizio Sarri.

Kepa's first year in west London was underwhelming, with his most notable moment coming when he refused to come off as a substitute during the Blues' Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City.

Frank Lampard kept faith with the Spain international after taking over from Sarri last year, but he has continued to fall below the required standard between the sticks.

Chelsea conceded 54 Premier League goals in 2019-20, more than any other side in the top 10, and Kepa was dropped from Lampard's line-up following his latest questionable performance in a 5-3 defeat at Liverpool on July 22.

Willy Cabellero filled in for the Spaniard for a final day victory over Wolves, with Lampard admitting post-match that the most expensive 'keeper in history has had a "difficult time" of late.

Bosnich thinks Kepa's time at Chelsea is already up, and that his old club cannot afford to let a top-earner sit on the sidelines and run his contract down.

"When a big club that has been challenging for honours purchase a goalkeeper it’s for right there and right now," The former Blues shot-stopper told Sky Sports.

"He hasn't had a particularly good season and the bottom line is you have a fall-out with the manager in any kind of way, it's a slippery slope.

"So I can fully understand Frank wanting to basically take that level up and to say 'look, listen, he's just not for me, I want somebody else'.

"If that's the case then there's going to be an issue as the club shelled out so much money for him. I don't think they'll be able to recoup that money, they may be able to recoup some.

"And of course the goalkeeper can make it very difficult for Chelsea by saying that if you are going to sit me out of the team then I'll stay here on these massive wages and run down my contract for nothing.

"They've got a big decision to make. I think it's quite evident from what we've seen, and the fact that he didn't play in that last game of the season, that he will be on his way."